Fruit Juices,Nectars and Nutritious Beverages can play a significant part in a Healthy Diet.

Intro: Fruit juices and nectars both act as nutritious beverages and can play a significant part in a healthy diet. It would be prudent to look towards a box of juice to revitalise you in the smoldering summer heat and keep you hydrated...

USEFUL TIPS TO AVOID FOOD POISONING (IN URDU)

Food poisoning is a general term for health problems arising from eating contaminated food. Food may be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, environmental toxins, or toxins present within the food itself. Symptoms of food poisoning usually involve nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Some food-borne toxins can affect the nervous system....

HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS TO CONSIDER IN 2012

Replace these every slider sentences with your featured post descriptions.Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these with your own descriptionsHealth insurance benefits cover everything from prescription costs to clinic visits and hospital stays. All health plans are not created equal though, so it is very important to take the time to do your homework and find the right plan for you and your family’s medical needs.
Before you enroll in, or purchase, a new plan for health insurance benefits, there are several aspects you should take into consideration:.

Treasure ur Bones

Osteoporosis is a condition that is characterized by a decrease in the density of bones that results in fragile bones. You! takes a look Every second woman and one out of six men in the world suffer from osteoporosis which is also known as a silent killer. Health experts say that there are 6.7 million osteoporosis patients in the country while the number could increase to 7.1 million in the coming year.

Killer Heels

Heels have become a necessity for every woman, whether short, tall, young or old. The obsession with high heels is only due to the fact that they add beauty to the wearer's posture by elongating the height. No doubt that high heels make short people appear tall and tall people look taller. However, those gorgeous high heels are doing more than just adding sophistication to your exterior.

Get busy tonight

by Amanda MacMillan

If you really need an excuse (or several) to heat things up in the bedroom, we've got you covered: Besides the obvious reasons one might have sex -- love, pleasure, baby-making—science shows that there are quite a few health benefits to getting intimate. The next time your partner asks, "Was it good for you?" you can say yes—in more ways than one!

Sex burns calories

Yes, knocking boots counts as exercise—and it sure beats the gym! Depending on how physical you get, sex can strengthen muscle tone, increase your heart rate, and get your whole body working, says Justin Lehmiller, PhD, creator of lecturer in the department of psychology at Purdue University and author of The Psychology of Human Sexuality. And according to a 2013 study in which volunteers wore activity trackers while they did the deed, men burn about 101 calories per session, while women torch an average of 69. "Relatively speaking, that's not a huge amount," says Lehmiller. He points out, however, that sex in the study (from foreplay to orgasm) lasted an average of 25 minutes. "If you have sex for a longer period of time, you can have even more of those calorie-burning benefits."

Sex helps you sleep

After orgasm, the body releases a relaxation hormone called prolactin, says Kristin Mark, PhD, director of the Sexual Health Promotion Lab at the University of Kentucky. "If you're not feeling particularly tired beforehand, having sex and reaching orgasm may certainly help you nod off a little more quickly than you would have otherwise."

Sex lowers your blood pressure and stress levels

In a 2005 Scottish study, volunteers were asked to record their sexual activity for two weeks and were then given anxiety-inducing tasks, like public speaking or solving math problems out loud. Those who'd had sex over the study period experienced smaller blood pressure spikes, and recovered from them more quickly, than those who hadn't. (Only penile-vaginal intercourse seemed to have this effect, not masturbation or other forms of sexual activity.) The study suggests two important benefit of regular sex, says Mark: Better blood pressure control, and better stress management overall. "Sex not only lowers people's perceived levels of stress, but it also appears to helps them handle stress more effectively, as well," she says.

Sex strengthens your heart

Regular sex may benefit the cardiovascular system in other ways. A British study found that men who had sex at least twice a week over a period of 20 years were less likely to have died from heart disease than those who got it on less than once a month. After 10 years, in fact, their risk of sudden death was 50% less than that of the group that had less sex, although that gap lessened over the next decade. These sorts of findings only show a correlation, not causation, says Mark. "People who have healthy sex lives probably have overall healthy lifestyles." Even so, she suspects there may be a connection: "Sex helps regulate hormones like estrogen and testosterone," she says, "which impacts all kinds of systems in the body, including the heart."

Sex may protect against cancer

Some studies have suggested that men who ejaculate more frequently may have a reduced risk of prostate cancer—although the difference appears to be very small, and others haven't found a conclusive link.
The benefits may be clearer for breast cancer prevention, however: A French study found that women who had sex at least once a month were less likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn't. And while the disease is rare in men, those who orgasm less than six times a month appear to be at increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who do so more often, according to a Greek study.

Sex boosts immunity

Getting busy on a weekly basis stimulates the immune system and provides protection from the common cold, according to a Wilkes University study. Researchers gave college students questionnaires about their sex lives, then tested their saliva for levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that helps fight off viruses. They found that the students who had sex once or twice a week had 30% more IgA than those who had sex less frequently. (They also, however, had higher IgA levels than those who had sex three times a week or more, suggesting that in this case, maybe you can get too much of a good thing.)

Sex relieves pain

Women often skip sex because of headaches, or so the cliché goes—but, according to a 2013 German study, going through with it may actually help them feel better. When study volunteers chose to have sex during a headache episode, about 60% of migraine sufferers and 30% of cluster headache sufferers reported partial or total relief. Endorphins released during orgasm, as well as increased blood flow to the genital area, likely play a role in sex's pain-relieving power, says Mark. "Pain sometimes has to do with blood flowing to one particular area, like the head, and sex can take some of that pressure off by redirecting the flow."

Sex may extend your life

Several studies have found connections between a busier sex life and a longer life in general, most notably a Duke University study that took place between 1955 and 1980. Researchers found that for men, frequency of intercourse was related to longer lifespans; while for women, enjoyment of intercourse was the most significant factor. "We can't really do cause-and-effect studies, so we don't know if sex actually helps people live longer, or if healthier people are just having more sex," says Lehmiller. "But from what we know about the other health benefits of sex, it probably won't hurt to have more of it!"

Sex strengthens relationships

Oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," is released during physical intimacy and skin-to-skin contact—and it can help increase romantic feelings between you and your partner, says Lehmiller.

Want to boost that bond even more? Be sure to cuddle after sex: A University of Toronto study found that couples who were asked to spend extra time together after sex—kissing, talking, and being affectionate—reported higher levels of satisfaction with their sex lives and with their relationships.

Sex is the key to lasting happiness

Physical intimacy can be difficult to maintain as people age, especially if chronic illnesses get in the way. But people couples can especially benefit from staying sexually active, according to a 2014 study from Johns Hopkins University on adults ages 58 to 85: Researchers found that couples who regularly engaged in sexual activity—even as little as once a month—reported greater marital satisfaction and happier relationships than those who hadn't in a year or more. Sexual activity didn't have to mean intercourse, either, or result in orgasm; the study authors say that anything couples do together to stimulate sexual arousal can have a lasting benefit.

Sex makes you smarter

A 2010 Princeton University study found that rats that have more frequent sex show more neuron growth in the hippocampus, a key brain region for learning and memory. "We know there are chemicals released during sex that activate the brain's rewards center, so it makes sense that this neurogenesis happens in people, as well," says Lehmiller. "In some ways, sex could potentially make you smarter!"

Sex makes you look younger

Research presented at the 2013 British Psychological Society annual meeting found that study subjects who had frequent sex (at least three times a week for people in their 40s and 50s) look between four and seven years younger than those who had less. Why? Lead author David Weeks, PhD, suspects the endorphins and feel-good chemicals released during intimacy, plus sex's beneficial effects on sleep and stress levels. Sex also boosts blood flow and helps regulate hormones, says Mark, which can both have positive effects on skin's appearance.

Sex makes you want even more sex

It may sound counterintuitive, but having sex has actually been shown to increase libido, says Mark—in other words, the more you have, the more you want. "Even if you don't have much desire in the first place, getting started can help you get in the mood, and it can also give you back some of that desire in the long run," she says. And with all of these other healthy reasons to have sex, why not do it even more?

Ripe, rich and delicious – bananas are one of most popular fruits that are easily available all year round . However, there are some weight watchers who will raise their eyebrows if they are asked to include it in their diet. They will soon know why this awesome fruit deserves to be loved and eaten.

Bananas are exceptionally healthy as they provide numerous health benefits. It is a versatile fruit that contains many nutrients including vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals like potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. Just as eating a banana helps in keeping your body in good health and great shape, application of this fruit on your hair and skin will help you to keep them in great condition.

1. Gives Instant Surge of Energy:

It does this by converting the natural sugars into instant energy and this is one of the reasons sportsmen consume it during intervals.Â Bananas are an excellent breakfast for kids and adults as it provides required energy throughout the day. This probably the most popular healthÂ benefit of banana.

2. Helps Keep Blood Pressure Under Control:

Research indicates that potassium keeps blood pressure under control and improved consumption of calcium, potassium and magnesium can also help decrease high blood pressure. Bananas are rich in potassium, calcium & magnesium, so it is a healthy option for keeping blood pressure in check.

3. Helps Lower Cholesterol:

It is said that Pectin which is a soluble fibre in banana helps to lower Cholesterol levels.Â According to researchers, fibres that are water soluble such as pectin, psyllium, beta-glucan etc., lower the LDL Cholesterol without disturbing the HDL cholesterol.

4. Supports Renal Health:

Bananas being a rich source of potassium, if consumed regularly in moderation, promote renal health. The International Journal of Cancer states that Bananas being a rich source of antioxidant phenolic compounds, if consumed together with cabbage and root vegetables protect renal health.

5. Improves Nerve Function and Enhances Brain Power:

Banana is a rich source of B vitamins and therefore perks up nerve function.Â Potassium, in banana keeps the mental faculties vigilant and boosts learning abilities.

6. Decreases The Risk of Stroke:

Studies indicate that regular intake ofÂ bananas in daily dietÂ helps reduce the occurrence of stroke and this is due to the high amount of potassium.

7. Reduces the Risk of Cancer:

Rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, consumption of bananas reduce risk of various types of cancer, especially bowel cancer.

Probiotic bacteria present in bananas is said to have astonishing ability to absorb calcium in the body. Hence, consuming bananas help in building better bones.

9. Enhances Digestive Ability:

It is very rich in fructooligosaccharide which acts as a probiotic (friendly bacteria). It stimulates the growth and activity of probiotics in the colon and produces enzymes that enable absorption of nutrients thus enhancing the digestive ability and preventing unfriendly bacteria from harming the body.

10. Helps Combat Stomach Ulcers:

Certain substances in bananas stimulate the cells which make up the stomach lining, this enables production of a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids.Â Also the substance known as protease inhibitors in banana, help getting rid of bacteria in the stomach that produces stomach ulcers, thus protecting against damage of stomach and ulcer.

11. Helps in Controlling Diarrhea:

Raw bananas are astringent in nature and are effective in treatment for diarrhoea.Â They also regulate fluid balance.

12. Relieve from Constipation:

Pectin found in Bananas, help to alleviate constipation and improves bowel function.

13. Helps in Curing Piles:

Since bananas help regulate bowel movement they help cure piles.

14. Helps Regulating Anemia:

Bananas are good for Anaemic patients as they contain high levels of iron which help regulate the haemoglobin levels in the body.

15. Helps Alleviating Heartburn:

The antacid substance in banana gives immense relief from heartburn

16. Prevents Allergies:

The presence of benign amino acids in banana helps combat allergies.

17. Helps Withdrawing Smoking Urge:

Vitamins B6 and B12 along with magnesium and Potassium in Bananas helps recover from nicotine addiction

18. Helps Recovering from Hangover:

Bananas when blended with honey and yoghurt cures hangover.

19. Enhance Weight Gain:

20. Bananas Benefits for Weight Loss:

Bananas contain loads of fibre and low amounts of fat and they are also easily digestible. A banana of 100 grams contains approx. 90 calories.Â And taking into consideration all its benefits it will not hurt including it into your diet. So dear weight watchers donâ€™t eliminate banana from your diet completely.

21. Prevents Insomnia:

Bananas are rich in amino acids known as Tryptophan.Â This substance triggers production of melatonin (sleep hormone) which induces sleep.Â Eating banana a few hours before bedtime ensures a peaceful nightâ€™s sleep.

22. Reduces Inflammation Due to Mosquito Bites:

Itching and swelling caused by mosquito bites can be reduced by rubbing the inside of a banana on it.

Skin Benefits Of Banana:

Banana fruit has nutrients that are essential for the skin. They contain significant amounts of vitamin C and B6 which plays vital role in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of the skin.
In addition, the large amount of antioxidants and manganese present in banana protect the body from damage caused by oxygen free radicals which lead to premature aging of the skin.

So a major benefit from banana is younger looking skin. Banana has about 75 per cent water by weight. Thus banana helps hydrate your skin and prevents it from drying and peeling.
Here are some benefits of banana for skin care:

24. Natural Moisturiser:

Banana is a great natural moisturiser for your skin. The Vitamin A present in banana restores the lost moisture and repairs the damaged, dull and dry skin. To instantly moisturise dry and dull skin, mash a ripe banana and apply it on your face. Avoid contact with eyes. Leave it on your skin for 20-25 minutes and then wash it away with lukewarm water. You will instantly have soft and supple skin.If you have extremely dry and flaky skin, you can also add honey to this face mask.This banana and honey mask also helps in getting rid of skin pigmentation.

Another easy face mask to get moisturised skin is to mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. yogurt and 1 tsp. Vitamin E oil. Apply it generously on a clean face and wash it away after 30 minutes.

25. Glowing Skin:

Banana contains generous amount of Vitamin C that helps in maintaining the natural and youthful glow of the skin.
Here are some banana face masks that you can use to get that natural glow back on your face.

Mash half a ripe banana and mix it with 1 tbsp. of sandalwood powder/paste and Â½ tsp. of honey. Let it stay on your skin for 20-25 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water. This face mask is beneficial for oily skin as sandalwood helps in cleaning excess sebum and oil from the skin while banana keeps it moisturised.

Mash one ripe banana and mix it with lemon juice form one lemon (approximately 2-3 tbsp.). Leave it on for 25 minutes. This mask is full of vitamin C which will get rid of dullness and help in reduction of spots and blemishes.

26. Banana Skin Scrubs:

Banana is full of anti-oxidants; mixed with a few ingredients, it not only helps to get rid of dead skin but also leaves it feeling rejuvenated.

Here are some banana based scrubs that you make using ingredients available in your kitchen

Take mashed banana and 1 tbsp. of sugar and mix them well. Apply it on your skin and rub it in circular motions. Banana will moisturise the dry skin while sugar granules will get rid of the dead skin.

Mash a ripe banana; add 2-3 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon milk. Apply it on your face and leave it 5 minutes, then slowly rub it on your skin. Wash with cold water. In case you have extremely dry skin, you can substitute milk with fresh cream.

Take half a ripe banana, 1 tbsp. coconut milk, 2 tbsp. uncooked rice, blend everything together to get a thick paste. Gently massage your face with this paste and wash with cold water afterwards.

To make a body scrub, mash 2 bananas with 4-5 strawberries using a blender. Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar and use it as a body scrub when you take a bath.Â

27. Anti-ageing:

Nutrients in banana helps in fighting wrinkles and keeps the skin youthful. For an anti-aging facial mask loaded with vitamins A and E, mash together an avocado and a banana. Leave on skin for 25 minutes and rinse. Skin will be soft and youthful. The vitamins E in avocados combined with the nutrients in bananas fight free radicals and repair damage.

Another simple face mask to fight effect of ageing is to mash 1/4 banana until very creamy and add one teaspoon of rose water. Apply it on face and neck and wash it off after half an hour.

28. Foot Care:

The moisturizing property of banana can be used to get rid of cracked heels. All you need to do is mash the pulp of two ripe bananas and apply this pulp on clean, dry feet. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse the feet clean. The banana pulp will penetrate deep into dry, cracked skin to create soft and supple feet.

29. Goodbye Puffy Eyes:

Mash half a banana and apply generously around the puffy eyes. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then rinsing with cool water. The puffiness will vanish instantly. The potassium rich banana draws out excess fluid from under my skin and reduces the swelling immediately.

You can also apply the banana peels instead of mashed banana. This tip can also be used whenever you apply any face pack and think about putting cucumber slices on your eyes.

Hair Benefits Of Banana:

Banana is rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins which help in softening the hair and protects the hair’s natural elasticity preventing split ends and breakage. Banana creates manageability, shine, growth and controls dandruff. Just like a banana facial mask enhances the glow of your face immediately, the following banana hair masks will also improve your hair dramatically. Here are some of the banana for hair benefits.

30. Pack For Soft Hair:

Mix ripe banana with avocado and add coconut milk to the mixture. Apply it on your hair and wait for 15-20 minutes. The pack conditions damaged hair and makes the hair soft. Instead of avocado, you can also make the same mask by adding cocoa. Presence of cocoa helps in bringing out the natural colour of the hair.

31. Pack For Shine And Health:

Peel a banana and add 1/4 cup of olive oil and one egg white and put in a blender. Puree for a couple of minutes. Let it stay on your hair for 15 minutes followed by hair wash with your favourite shampoo and conditioner.

32. Pack To Fight Hair Loss:

To Treat Hair Loss, mix ripe banana pulp with yoghurt. Apply the smooth paste on your scalp and rinse with cool water after 15-20 minutes.

33. Pack For Dry Hair:

Just like the way honey and banana face pack nourishes your dry skin, the same works great for your dry hair as well, mix three spoons of honey with ripe banana and apply it on your hair while it is still wet. Let the hair pack sit for 15-20 minutes followed by the usual hair wash.

34. Pack For Dry And Damaged Hair:

Another simple yet effective hair mask to repair dry and damaged hair is to make banana pulp with a few drops of almond oil. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. The vitamin A and C present in banana along with Vitamin E of the almond oil leave your hair silky and shiny not to mention extremely moisturized and soft.
While applying any of the above hair masks, it is essential keep two things in mind so that you donâ€™t end up with chunks of banana in your hair post hair wash. First, whenever you use banana for hair mask, make sure it is in pulp form and there are no chunks. Just to be sure, blend all the contents of the hair mask.

Secondly, never let these hair masks dry on your hair completely. The hair mask should still be wet when you wash your hair so that you can easily get rid of the banana which otherwise tends to stick. You might feel that your hair a little stiff when they are drying but once they dry completely; you will be able to see the results.
Benefits Of Banana Peel for Skin:

Banana is a very popular natural element when it comes to beauty as it is not just the fruit that you can use but the peel itself is full of anti-oxidants and can be used for a lot of home remedies.

35. Pack For Acne:

To treat acne with banana peel, cut a small piece of the peel. Rub the inside of the peel gently over the acne affected area. Rub for about 5 minutes or until the inside of the peel gets brown. Clean the skin around with lukewarm water but let the banana dry out on the affected area to do. Repeat this at least 3 times a day and the acne and pimples will subside within a week.

36. Treating Itchy Skin:

If you suffer from itchy and swollen skin, just rub the banana peel on the effective area and you will feel the itching and swelling subside.

37. Pack For Wrinkles:

Banana peel can also be used to get rid of wrinkles. Apply fresh peel on the affected area for 15 minutes every day and there will be noticeable change in a few weeks.

38. Pack For Treating Warts And Psoriasis:

Banana peel is also helpful to treat warts and psoriasis. Just apply the banana peel on the affected area and rub it for 10-12 minutes twice every day. The results might take time to show but this definitely works much better than artificial creams and treatments for these skin problems.

39. Bananas and Beauty Sleep:

We all know how essential a good night sleep is for maintaining the health of your skin and hair. Melatonin is the sleep inducing hormone in the human body and Tryptophan is an amino-acid that is necessary for the production of this sleep hormone.

Bananas not only contain large amounts of tryptophan and serotonin but also have very high carbohydrate content. This helps the brain to utilize tryptophan and serotonin to produce the sleep hormone. Eating banana few hours before going to bed will help you in getting that essential beauty sleep and thus a refreshed and healthy skin.
As you can see for yourself, banana has a lot of beauty benefits, especially when it comes to skin and hair. It is full of nutrients that help in keeping you healthy, not to mention how affordable and easily available it is everywhere and round the year. So make it a part of your daily diet and beauty routine and you will not only save some money but will also get beautiful skin and hair without exposing them to unwanted chemicals. So what are you waiting for?
Nutritional Value Of Banana: